JPH01281518A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, and more particularly to a coordinate input device for inputting coordinate information on a display screen.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of device has been a pointing device (
(mouse, etc.), touch panel, etc.

With a mouse, etc., the operating section is moved separately on the desk, and the cursor is moved in conjunction with this.

In addition, with a touch panel, coordinate information can be input directly by touching the touch panel overlaid on the display screen.

[Problem to be solved by the invention J However, mice etc. require their own operating space on the desk.
Not suitable for offices with a lot of documents.

In addition, touch panels are expensive, and since the display screen is touched with a finger or the like, the screen becomes difficult to view and dirt becomes noticeable.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a coordinate input device that does not require special space, is inexpensive, and is easy to operate.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve the above object, the coordinate input device of the present invention has the following features:
The general outline thereof is to include a display panel for displaying various information, and a one-dimensional coordinate input means provided on at least one side in correspondence with the coordinate axes of the display panel.

[Function] In this configuration, the display panel displays various information such as key characters, icons (pictograms), figures such as maps, character cursors or graphic cursors, and selection menus. - A dimensional coordinate input means is provided on at least one side corresponding to the coordinate axes of the display panel, and generates one-dimensional coordinate information according to an operation.

[Description of Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of the coordinate input device of the embodiment. In FIG. , a character cursor or graphic cursor, a selection menu, etc., to display various information. Reference numeral 2 denotes a one-dimensional coordinate input means, which is provided on the front right (or left, or both) in correspondence with the ordinate axis of the display panel 1. This -dimensional coordinate input means 2 generates a voltage signal VP corresponding to the position where the operation surface (surface) is pressed. 3 is also a one-dimensional coordinate input means, and display panel 1
Provided at the bottom (or top, or both) of the front, corresponding to the abscissa axis. This -dimensional coordinate input means 3 similarly generates a voltage signal VHP corresponding to the pressed position.

In addition, if -dimensional coordinate input means are provided on both the left and right sides or the top and bottom, even if the left and right or up and down rotations are operated (pressed), they can be treated as coordinates on the same axis.In this way, the bowl will not cover the screen. It has the convenience of being able to be operated with either your free right or left hand without having to turn it off.

4 is an A/D conversion means (A/D) which converts input analog voltage signals VVP and VIP into corresponding digital data DVP and DHP, respectively. 5 is a CPU, which performs main control of the coordinate input device.

For example, the CPU 5 sets and manages the coordinate axes (X axis, Y axis) on the display panel 1, and also converts input data DVP, DHP from the -dimensional coordinate input means 2.3 into coordinate values. 6
is a ROM, which stores, for example, the coordinate input processing program shown in FIG. 3, which is executed by the CPU 5. 7 is a RAM, which the CPU 5 uses as a work area. 8 is CR
This is a T control unit (CRTC) and controls the display of various information from the CPU 5. is the cursor.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the one-dimensional coordinate input means 3 of the embodiment. Incidentally, the -dimensional coordinate input means 2 is also 0
In the figure, reference numeral 3-1 denotes a resistance member, which is made of a uniform resistivity material in the form of a band and elastic. Reference numeral 3-2 denotes a metal plate or the like having low resistance, and is provided so as to face the resistance member 3-1 with a thin gap therebetween. Note that in order to maintain this gap, liquid, gas, etc. may be filled between the resistance member 3-1 and the metal plate 3-2.

In this configuration, the metal plate 3-2 serving as the substrate is provided with a resistor R.
A power supply voltage V is supplied via. In this state, if no operation (suppression) is applied to the resistance member 3-1 on the operation surface, the power supply voltage V will be transferred to the high impedance A via the resistance R.
/D conversion means 4. Therefore, the voltage signal VHP in this case is approximately the maximum voltage V of the 0th order, and the resistance member 3-1
For example, when a portion of point a shown in the figure is pressed, that portion bends and comes into contact with the metal plate 3-2. As a result, a series circuit of the resistor R and R' of the resistor member 3-1 is formed, and the power supply voltage V is divided into corresponding resistance ratios.

That is, the voltage signal VHP in this case is VHP=V −R'
/ (R+R") and is determined according to the pressed position (resistance R'). Therefore, this voltage signal VHP is
D conversion is performed to generate digital data DHP (coordinate information).

In this way, by pressing any point on the surface of the -dimensional coordinate input means 3, the horizontal coordinate of the display panel 1 can be specified, and by pressing any point on the surface of the -dimensional coordinate input means 2, the vertical coordinate can be specified. Can be input.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the coordinate input processing procedure of the embodiment. In FIG. 0, in step s1, wait until the one-dimensional coordinate input means 3 is pressed (data DHP is no longer at the maximum), and in step s2, read the data DHP. , In step s3, it is determined whether the data DHP is the maximum. While it is not the maximum, the one-dimensional coordinate input means 3 remains pressed, and the process proceeds to step S4, where the abscissa of the display panel 1 is calculated from this data DHP. This calculation is performed, for example, by calculating a ratio or converting a table.

In step S5, the cursor K is placed at the corresponding position on the display panel 1.
move. This causes the cursor to move to the newly specified abscissa position while keeping its current ordinate position.

Next, the flow returns to step S2 and the above process is repeated. Therefore, if the user moves his finger while holding down the one-dimensional coordinate input means 3, the cursor will immediately follow it. However, at this point, the coordinates have not yet been specified and input.

Eventually, in step S3, when it is determined that the data DHP is the maximum, this is when the user releases his hand from the one-dimensional coordinate input means 3. The flow advances to step S6, where the coordinates obtained in the previous step S4 are designated as designated input coordinates.

Although not shown, the -dimensional coordinate input means 2 is also separately processed in the same manner as above.

The above-mentioned -dimensional coordinate designation by the -dimensional coordinate input means 2 or 3 is extremely useful when, for example, λ is used to select a menu on the screen 1. This is because in many cases, a menu can be selected by moving the cursor K only to the left and right or only up and down on the screen. Therefore, the coordinate input device in this case can be configured with only the one-dimensional coordinate input means 2 or only the -dimensional coordinate input means 3.

On the other hand, if the instruction inputs of the -dimensional coordinate input means 2 and 3 are combined and used in software, substantially two-dimensional coordinate specification can be achieved. At that time, the CPU 5 needs to distinguish between one-dimensional designation and two-dimensional designation. For example, if the processes of the -dimensional coordinate input means 2 and 3 overlap (the ) is recognized as a two-dimensional designation, and when only one of them is manipulated, it can be recognized as a one-dimensional designation.

[Effect of the Invention J As described above, according to the present invention, an inexpensive coordinate input device with an easy-to-read screen can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of the coordinate input device of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the one-dimensional coordinate input means 3 of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the coordinate input processing procedure of the embodiment. . In the figure, l...Display panel (CRT, liquid crystal, etc.), 2.3
...-dimensional coordinate input means, 4...A/D conversion means (
A/D), 5...-CPU, 6...-ROM, 7...R
AM, 8--CRT control unit (CRTC), K... Cursor. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim] A coordinate input device comprising: a display panel for displaying various information; and one-dimensional coordinate input means provided on at least one side corresponding to the coordinate axes of the display panel.